I need Help with an Elans Pedigree

Post by: **cudly1** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:59 pm

I am seeking information about a 1971 Elan drophead sprint which I am considering buying. It's registration is MDP 462K, Chassis No 7106150277E. It looks very different. From the front and back it looks a lot like a plus 2, it has a long nose but retains pop up headlights in a similar position to the elan s4 only further forward; and it has big wings and a spoiler. Could it have been developed as a project car by say lotus racing or lotus engineering. Can anybody help?

Post by: **Elanintheforest** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:20 pm

I think that putting some photos up would be the first step to see if anybody recognises it. If it looks like a Plus 2, then that's probably what it is. I assume that it's a convertible? Is it a 2 seater or a 2+2?

2 seater Elans have been around since 1962, and the Plus 2 since 1967. I doubt very much that the factory had anything to do with a Plus 2 with a Sprint identity built in 1971! More likely a bitsa that was put together using a crashed car or two in the 70s / 80s.. But if there is a Sprint lurking under there, it could be a worthwhile buy as you can buy a new bodyshell for a Sprint for very little money.

Mark

Post by: **trw99** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 2:41 pm

Hi Cudly and welcome.

It sounds pretty awful to me! However, it is not a genuine DHC, having left the factory as a FHC Sprint. It rolled off the production line in June 1971 and was first registered in Reading on 17 Aug 71. If Hethel had any such development cars I'm sure we would have heard about them by now so I very much doubt it is anything special in that respect.

Tim

Post by: **oldelanman** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 3:11 pm

Hi Cudly,
Seems like it's been off the road for a good while - according to DVLA it was last taxed in November 1990 and at that time it was blue. Is it a "barn find"?

Regards,

Post by: **nebogipfel** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:27 pm

Sounds like a Mongrel to me .....sorry couldn't resist it

Can't help but as Mark said some pictures may help.

Big wings and a spoiler sounds more like a DIY project rather than something Lotus would do.

Post by: **types26/36** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:48 pm

nebogipfel wrote:Big wings and a spoiler sounds more like a DIY project rather than something Lotus would do.

Ah....you mean something like this :lol:

.....sorry couldn't resist it

Post by: **nebogipfel** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:54 pm

types26/36 wrote:
nebogipfel wrote:Big wings and a spoiler sounds more like a DIY project rather than something Lotus would do.

Ah....you mean something like this
.....sorry couldn't resist it

Good point Brian :wink:

Post by: **cudly1** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:57 am

Many thanks all for your comments which are not at all suprising. I had hoped that there was the odd chance that it was something special and worth pursueing.

I understand the last owner purchased it in 1987 for ?12500 in 1989 with 37000 miles on the clock. It now has 38000 miles on the clock having been garaged since 1990.

It doesn't look good, nor is it in good condition. It needs a full rebuild. I think I'll leave it alone!

Many thanks once again.

Post by: **rgh0** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 11:52 am

May have been a real Modsports racer at some time which may give it some value - but more likely someones attempt at copying the Modsports look at some time in the 80's

cheers
Rohan

Post by: **elansprint71** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:55 pm

Sounds not unlike the Espran to me.

Post by: **Elanman99** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 2:25 pm

[quote="elansprint71"]Sounds not unlike the Espran to me.[/quote]

Please illuminate Pete, I have not heard of those/it/that.

Ian P

Post by: **nebogipfel** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:24 pm

cudly1 wrote:Many thanks all for your comments which are not at all suprising. I had hoped that there was the odd chance that it was something special and worth pursueing.

I understand the last owner purchased it in 1987 for ?12500 in 1989 with 37000 miles on the clock. It now has 38000 miles on the clock having been garaged since 1990.

It doesn't look good, nor is it in good condition. It needs a full rebuild. I think I'll leave it alone!

Many thanks once again.

It would have been interesting to have seen some pictures, I assume you don't have any?

You don't say if you are looking for a project or a ready to use car but any Elan is restorable and if this car could be bought at the right price and you have the required money and/or skills it could be a viable project.

Prices are a bit volatile at the moment but if it could be brought back to standard for a reasonable cost it could be viable and would possibly be a good longer term prospect

Post by: **elansprint71** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:38 am

Elanman99 wrote:
elansprint71 wrote:Sounds not unlike the Espran to me.

Please illuminate Pete, I have not heard of those/it/that.

Ian P

I'm led to believe it was an interim model which did not reach production. Photo copyright of Selby Photographic Corporation.

Post by: **elansprint71** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:39 am

Without photographs it is difficult to give any useful opinion of what the car is/is not.

Post by: **Elanintheforest** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:04 am

Strange that they only painted the front after they grafted the nose on with Photoshop...sorry, I meant to say after they spent so much time and trouble carefully assembling the car. :lol:

If you use the clone tool you may get a better blend of paintwork.

Mark

I need Help with an Elans Pedigree

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